Pluralsight vs CBT Nuggets for IT Training and Cert Exam Prep

In the IT world, continuous learning isn't just a bonus—it's a career requirement. Technology moves fast, and tech that was new just a few years ago can quickly become outdated. As businesses increasingly rely on advanced tech like cloud computing, cybersecurity, and networking, IT professionals need certifications to prove their expertise. 

That is where IT training platforms like Pluralsight and CBT Nuggets come into play. These learning platforms help busy IT professionals learn new skills, study for certifications, and grow their careers. But which one is right for you? Today, we'll explore these two learning platforms, including their strengths, weaknesses, and key differences. 

What is Pluralsight?

Pluralsight is an online tech learning platform that offers a wide range of courses on IT topics. Originally targeting software devs, it now offers courses on a range of topics, including IT operations, cybersecurity, data science, machine learning, and even creative fields like design and animation.

While Pluralsight has gained popularity with general tech users and software devs, it doesn't offer many courses related to specific IT certifications. Many of its courses, while comprehensive, tend to focus on the bigger picture, rather than detailed training to help IT learners pass specific certifications. 

Thus, if your goal is to learn, Pluralsight can be a solid choice. But, if you're looking to pass a specific cert, it might not offer the detailed training you need. 

What is CBT Nuggets?

CBT Nuggets is an online learning platform that specializes in IT training and IT certifications. Its goal is to provide IT professionals with the knowledge they need to pass the tests for specific certifications. CBT Nuggets combines detailed courses with hands-on experience in virtual labs and practice tests. 

The platform primarily focuses on courses for IT certifications, including those for system admins, networking, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. You'll find courses that introduce basic concepts, as well as specific course tracks to pass top IT certifications like the CCNA, CompTIA Network+, and AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. 

One of CBT Nugget's strengths lies in its expert instructors, many of whom are seasoned IT professionals with years of industry experience. The platform's microlearning videos are short and concise, making it easier for learners to understand complex topics without getting overwhelmed. CBT Nugget courses ensure learners not only understand new skills but know how to implement them. 

Key Differences Between Pluralsight and CBT Nuggets

While both platforms offer valuable learning content, they differ in terms of specialization, course depth, learning style, and continent delivery. Below, we'll explore the biggest differences between Pluralsight and CBT Nuggets.   

Specialization in IT Training

While Pluralsight does cover IT topics, it's not exclusively focused on the field’s certifications. It covers a wide range of topics, including digital marketing, Salesforce, and much more. This makes it a great fit for tech enthusiasts or casual learners who want to learn about a wide range of topics. However, it may not be ideal for IT professionals focused on earning specific certifications. 

On the other hand, CBT Nuggets is purely focused on IT topics and IT certifications. Its course library caters to IT professionals who need to stay updated on the latest tech in networking, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and IT leadership. This specialization makes CBT Nuggets a go-to resource for IT professionals looking to grow their careers. 

Course Depth and Certification Focus

Pluralsight offers a broad learning experience across multiple topics. While they do offer some cert paths, courses may not be as in-depth. CBT Nuggets offers courses specifically designed to prepare IT learners for certifications. You'll find in-depth training for certifications from top IT companies, including Cisco, AWS, CompTIA, Microsoft, and more.  

Learning Style and Content Delivery

Pluralsight’s courses tend to be more theory-driven and prove a broad understanding of tech concepts. The platform also uses skill assessments to gauge learning progress. While this approach works well for learners who prefer a structured, assessment-based format, it does not provide the hands-on practice many learners prefer. 

CBT Nuggets uses a microlearning approach, which breaks larger ideas into smaller trainings that are easier to digest. For example, the CBT Nuggets CompTIA A+ course offers 28 hours of training broken into 178 videos. CBT Nuggets also offers practice tests and virtual labs, ensuring you are prepared for the certification exam. This approach helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications. 

Conclusion

Both Pluralsight and CBT Nuggets are fantastic learning platforms, but they cater to different types of learners. Pluralsight's broader training is great for curious learners who want to explore many different fields. However, for IT learners focused on gaining real-world experience and wanting hands-on learning experience, CBT Nuggets is a better choice. 

CBT Nuggets' strength lies in its detailed IT certification courses, expert trainers, and hands-on labs. This provides IT learners with both the knowledge and the skills they need to pass certification exams and grow their career. 

Want to try a CBT Nuggets course? Try CBT Nuggets free for 7 days.